Sourcing warp-knitted curtain fabric from China

Curtain fabric duty and classification

Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 30 September 2026, heading 6005 covers warp-knitted fabrics outside headings 6001 to 6004. This guide concerns fabric rolls for making curtains. The selected cotton, synthetic and artificial-fibre lines carry 8% duty for goods from China, with no anti-dumping or countervailing measures recorded. See the wider warp-knit fabrics guide for other uses.

Under 6005 36 00 00, a 0% suspension applies only to the specified weft-inserted warp-knitted polyester product meeting the listed width and length conditions. It excludes mixtures, preparations and products made up of different components containing that product. Do not assume ordinary polyester curtain fabric qualifies. No import controls are recorded against the selected table lines.

The wider heading's other-fibre lines attach CITES and cat-and-dog-fur controls. CITES-listed material imported into Great Britain from China needs the appropriate permits; confirm the documents with your customs broker. Imports of cat or dog fur and products containing it are banned. Confirm the commodity code from construction, fibre composition, width and finish; check finished curtains separately.

Specify curtain width, drape and light transmission

Specify fibre composition, knitting construction, yarn type, mass per square metre and usable width after finishing. State the direction in which the fabric will hang, pattern orientation and repeat, edge finish and intended cleaning method. Approve a hanging sample to assess drape, openness and the appearance of adjoining panels.

For sheer fabric, compare light transmission and privacy under agreed lighting. For a blackout claim, test the finished fabric against an agreed acceptance method. Keep signed samples for shade, handle and appearance. For hotel or venue orders, agree the fire-performance test and cleaning conditions with the customer before approving the finish.

Fabric sold by the metre to consumers needs fibre-composition labelling; confirm the permitted fibre names with Trading Standards. Check the mill's declared composition against the approved specification and arrange testing where needed. Flame-retardant treatments on soft furnishings can lose effectiveness after washing, so request evidence for the intended cleaning method through testing and certification.

Worked duty example

Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order: 3,000 metres of dyed polyester warp-knitted curtain fabric in rolls under 6005 37 00 00, invoiced at £12,000 free on board, with £1,200 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £13,200. Duty at 8% is £1,056. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £14,256, so it is £2,851.20. Import taxes total £3,907.20; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £1,056 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.

Inspection checklist

Width and weight: measure usable width and mass per square metre across sampled rolls. Check roll lengths and identify dye lots before cutting.

Shade and transparency: compare edge, centre and adjoining rolls with the signed sample under agreed lighting. Hang panels together to check matching appearance.

Surface and pattern: inspect for needle lines, broken yarns, holes, snags and distorted repeats. Check that the pattern direction suits the cutting plan.

Cleaning and finish: clean samples by the intended method, then compare dimensions, drape, colour transfer and finish with the agreed limits. Match supporting test reports to the supplied fabric.

What goes wrong

Narrow usable width disrupts curtain cutting plans, while shade differences become visible when panels hang together. Uneven mesh openings, needle lines and distorted patterns can be difficult to judge from a folded swatch. Cleaning can change panel dimensions or drape, and a finish may alter the transparency of a sheer fabric.

Keep a signed hanging sample and record usable width, shade and cleaning acceptance in the order. Inspect rolls before shipment and check arrival samples before bulk cutting. Use the quality inspection guide to agree sampling and defect reporting with the supplier.

Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.